For some users, the Phone Link app isn’t showing smartphone notifications, or in some cases, it is unable to sync messages with the phone in real-time. If you’ve landed on this troubleshooting guide, then you must be facing the same issues with the Phone Link app. Here in this article, we’ve mentioned the best solutions to resolve all the problems with the Microsoft Phone Link app.
Why Microsoft Phone Link Is Not Working on Windows 11?
Why Microsoft Phone Link Is Not Working on Windows 11?
Based on our research, these are some of the most common reasons for the Microsoft Phone Link not working issue:
Firewall Blocking Issues Issues With Windows Store App Background Processing Permissions Not Allowed Shared Experience Option Is Disabled Problem With Phone Link App & Link to Windows app Bugs or Outdated Microsoft Phone Link app Relink the Smartphone & PC Third-party Antivirus Programs
Fix Microsoft Phone Link Not Working In Windows 11
Fix Microsoft Phone Link Not Working In Windows 11
Before moving to the solutions, we suggest checking a few things. The first check is that you need to ensure that you’re connected to a working and fast-speed internet connection. You should also ensure that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Lastly, check the Link to Windows (Android app) and Phone Link (Windows app) are using the same Microsoft account to sync the data. After completing the aforementioned checks, continue following our tried and tested solutions to overcome the issues with the Phone Link app.
1. Temporary Disable Windows Firewall
One of the most common reasons behind the Microsoft Phone Link app not working is the built-in Windows Firewall. The Windows Firewall may stop the Phone Link from transferring data across different devices. In that case, we suggest disabling the Windows Firewall to ensure the Firewall isn’t causing inconvenience. Here are the steps to disable the integrated Firewall feature in the new Windows 11:
2. Disable Data Restrictions
Another common reason behind the ill-functioning of the Phone Link app could be the limited data usage permissions. You must remove all the data usage restrictions from the Phone Link and Link to Windows apps to let them function properly. Below are the steps to disable data restrictions on Android and Windows 11 PC:
On Android
On Windows PC
3. Use the Windows Store App Troubleshooter
The Microsoft Phone Link is an integrated Windows app that can only be downloaded and updated from the Microsoft Windows Store. Fortunately, Microsoft has provided a tool to Windows that resolves all the issues with built-in and Windows Store apps. You can check the mentioned steps to troubleshoot all the problems with the Phone Link app using the Windows Store troubleshooter:
4. Allow All Necessary App Permissions
When we set up the Phone Link app on the PC, in the initial steps, it asks for permission to read smartphone data and sync with the computer. It’s essential to allow all those permissions for the proper functioning of the Phone Link app. If the messages or photos aren’t visible on the Windows PC, we suggest ensuring all the required permissions are enabled for constant syncing. Below are the steps to ensure the same on both Android and Windows 11 with ease:
On Android
Call logs Camera Contacts Phone SMS And, Storage
On Windows
5. Disable Do Not Disturb & Airplane Mode
If you’re still facing connectivity or syncing issues, we suggest keeping the Do not Disturb mode and the Airplane mode disabled. These two functions can prevent the Phone Link app from syncing correctly. You can follow the below-mentioned steps to check the same on both Windows 11 and Android. You can simply disable the Airplane Mode and Do not Disturb Mode from the Notifications panel of the smartphone. When it comes to disabling both options on the new Windows 11, you can follow the steps mentioned below:
6. Force Close the Phone Link & Link to Windows App
Sometimes, closing the app from the roots resolves all the startup and slow performance issues with the applications. Luckily, both Windows and Android allow us to force close applications with ease. You can follow the below-mentioned steps to get assistance on the same.
On Android
On Windows PC
7. Allow the Phone Link & Link to Windows App To Run in the Background
Many users reported that their Phone Link isn’t syncing messages and notifications automatically. One of the most common reasons could be being unable to run in the background. You must ensure the app can run in the background. In that case, you need to give all the required permissions to the Phone Link app for continuous syncing. You can follow us along to provide background permission to the Phone Link app and Link to Windows app:
On Android
On Windows
8. Enable Notifications for the Phone Link App
In case the Phone Link app isn’t showing smartphone notifications on the desktop, there are chances that the Link to Windows app doesn’t have permission to do so. You must ensure that the Link to Windows app has all the required permissions to show notifications. Here’s how to check the same:
9. Disable The Battery Optimization Feature
One of the most common reasons for the Microsoft Phone Link not working issue is the enabled battery optimization feature. You must disable the battery optimization feature to enable the Phone Link app to function properly in the background. Here are the steps to disable the battery optimization feature in Windows 11 as well as Android.
On Android
On Windows PC
You can disable the Battery saver option in Windows 11 by clicking on the Battery icon at the bottom-right corner of the screen. Once done, reopen and close the Phone Link twice or thrice to check if the Phone Link syncs with the phone automatically or not.
10. Enable Shared Experience
Shared Experience is a feature that allows the PC to seamlessly share data across different devices that are logged in with the same account. It also plays an important role in the functioning of the Phone Link app. Therefore, you must ensure the Shared Experience option is enabled for proper syncing. Below are the steps to enable/disable the Shared Experience option:
11. Reset & Repair the Phone Link App
If none of the solutions fixes the issue, we suggest resetting the Phone Link app to clear all the existing data like cache files and other temporary data from the computer. We also recommend repairing the Phone Link app to repair broken files and functions of the app. So, let’s do the same:
12. Update the Phone Link & Link to Windows App
If the issue still exists, there’s a possibility that the Microsoft Phone Link app or Link to Windows app has some bugs. You can try updating both applications from their native app stores and check if updating the app resolves the problem. Below are the steps to update the Phone Link app and the Link to Windows app from their integrated app stores:
On Android
On Windows
13. Update the PC to Newer Version
Microsoft could have released some fixes for the Phone Link app issues via system updates. You can try searching for new system updates and check if any updates are related to the Phone Link app. Even if there aren’t any, we suggest downloading all the pending updates to be on the safer side. You can follow the mentioned process to check the same:
14. Relink Windows PC & Android Phone
Sadly, if none of the above-mentioned workarounds resolves the problem, we suggest relinking the smartphone and Windows computer using the Phone Link app. Doing this will re-establish the connection between the system and phone and ensure all the connectivity issues are resolved. You can follow us along to do the same:
Does Your Phone App Work on Windows 11?
Yes, the Microsoft Phone Link app (previously known as Your Phone) works on Windows 11. The Phone Link app works on Windows 10 too.
Why Can’t I Link My Phone to Windows?
One of the most common reasons for this issue is the third-party antivirus tool. We suggest disabling the antivirus program while accessing the Microsoft Phone Link app.
How Do I Fix Windows Link Not Working?
You can try repairing and resetting the Microsoft Phone Link app to resolve any issues with the Microsoft Phone Link app.
How Do I Connect My Phone to Windows 11?
You can check this comprehensive tutorial on how to connect an Android smartphone with a Windows PC using the Microsoft Phone Link app.
How Do I Turn Off Phone Link in Windows 11?
Unfortunately, Microsoft doesn’t officially allow users to remove the Phone Link app from Windows PC. But still there are ways to disable or uninstall Phone Link app from Windows 11.
Final Words
Final Words
Phone Link app is one of the best ways to access your smartphone data on a Windows PC seamlessly. However, the app has many irritating issues that ruin the entire user experience in seconds. But, not anymore, as we’ve already shared more than 12 tried and tested solutions to overcome all the issues with the Phone Link app. We recommend trying all the solutions properly to escape this annoying situation immediately. Also, let us know the solution that saved your day.
